Yeti Pro

Yeti Pro Microphone by Blue Microphones

ITEM: 754523

The Yeti Pro is the world's first USB microphone combining 24 bit/192 kHz digital recording resolution with analog XLR output. Featuring three custom condenser capsules and four different pattern settings, the Yeti Pro can capture digital audio with up to four times the clarity found on CDs. Plus, the Yeti Pro features a cutting-edge A-D converter chip and separate analog circuit path for usewith professional studio mixers and preamps. You also get a built-in headphone amplifier for zero-latency monitoring, and direct controls for headphone volume, pattern selection, mute, and microphone gain. So whether you record at home, in a studio (or in the Himalayas!), the Yeti Pro is your ultimate sound solution.

The legend of the Yeti continues with the most advanced and versatile multi-pattern USB microphone roaming the wild today. The Yeti Pro features tools and recording capabilities usually requiring multiple microphones and devices, all with the simplicity of a plug 'n play USB microphone.

In addition to the Yeti, Yeti Pro offers the ability to record at 24 bit/192 kHz, and the ability to use the features of Yeti in a more professional setting via the stereo XLR output.

Does Yeti Pro need batteries? I've heard that condenser microphones require something called "Phantom Power". Do I need to concern myself with this?

USB: No. Yeti Pro does not require batteries. Yeti Pro derives its operating power from something called bus voltage, which is always present on your USB port. As long as the red LED is glowing, you've got power.

XLR: If you are using the Yeti Pro in analog mode (via XLR), you will need to ensure that your Yeti Pro is connected to a reliable phantom power source.

Unfortunately, the USB 3.0 standard is not yet compatible with high resolution USB audio devices like the Yeti Pro. However, most systems with USB 3.0 ports will also have some ports that are USB 2.0 or backwards compatible. Try using the Yeti Pro on these ports for best results.

Do I need any special software to use Yeti Pro?

To get the most out of your Yeti Pro, you'll want to have some kind of software that allows for digital signal processing and non-linear editing that will accept audio from the USB port. Some examples of these programs are listed below.

Do I need any drivers?

For Mac users (10.6.4 and up) you will not need to download any drivers. For Windows users, you will need to download the appropriate driver.

Can I use Yeti Pro with a traditional analog audio mixer?

USB: No, the Yeti Pro features digital output only. It must be connected to a USB port in order to function.

Yeti Pro should only be plugged into one source (USB or XLR) at a time. All mic functions operate in digital mode, while in analog mode, the mute and headphone out functions do not operate (these are not useful in an analog recording situation).

What sample rate and word length does Yeti Pro use?

From 16 bit/22 kHz up to 24bit/192 kHz and common sampling rates in-between.

Some audio editing software allows for multiple USB connections. Check with your software vendor -- they should have technical support staff who can answer all of your questions about their product.

What does polar pattern mean? Why should I care?

Think of polar patterns as the shape of the area that a microphone "hears". Omnidirectional hears everything at equal volume from all angles (in a 360 degree sphere surrounding the mic). Cardioid only hears what's right in front of it at full volume and other sounds at increasingly diminished volume as the sound source moves further away from the center of the mic. Bi-directional (figure-of-eight) hears from both the front and the rear of the microphone. Stereo hears everything like we do, left and right. This creates a realistic stereo image. You should care because one of the most useful features of a microphone is the ability to control its pickup. We like polar patterns so much, that some of our professional studio microphones have as many as nine different patterns!

What part of the mic do I talk into?

The Yeti Pro is a side address microphone. A side address microphone accepts sound from an angle perpendicular to the mic as opposed to a front address mic where you speak into the "end" of the microphone.